The former Sydney radio host Alan Jones has been charged over alleged historic indecent assault and sexual touching offences spanning two decades. Jones was arrested by New South Wales police on Monday morning after a “long, thorough, protracted” investigation into the alleged offences and a more than three-hour police search of his apartment in Sydney’s Circular Quay. NSW Police said Mr Jones was charged with a total of 24 offences involving eight alleged victims. They included 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault, nine counts of assault with act of indecency, two counts of sexually touching another person without consent and two counts of common assault. The incidents are alleged to have occurred between 2001 and 2019, with the youngest alleged victim aged 17 at the time. Jones has previously denied all allegations against him. On Monday, NSW Police said Child Abuse Squad detectives executed a warrant and arrested the 83-year-old at his luxury Sydney apartment at Circular Quay about 7:45am. Detective Superintendent Linda Howlett said Mr Jones appeared “calm” at the time of his arrest. He arrived at Day Street Police Station in the back of an unmarked police car at 11:15am Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald said Mr Jones knew the alleged victims both personally and professionally, and that the youngest alleged victim was aged 17 years old. He said police seized a number of electronic devices during the raid. The State Crime Command’s Child Abuse Squad established Strike Force Bonnefin in March to investigate a number of alleged indecent assaults and sexual touching incidents between 2001 and 2019. Mr Jones was granted bail and is expected to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on December 18, police said. Speaking to journalists, Mr Chris Murphy , a lawyer said Mr Jones denied any misconduct. “Allegations have been made, nothing has been tested, nothing has been proven,” Mr Murphy said outside the police station. Mr Jones had a broadcasting career spanning more than 35 years, with the shock jock dominating Sydney’s airwaves for decades. He started his media career as morning news presenter for 2UE in 1985 He is best-known for his program on Sky News and breakfast radio show on Sydney radio station 2GB, which he joined after leaving 2UE in 2002. During his career, Jones challenged and breached the media regulator’s standards well over a dozen times. He was the morning broadcaster for the station for 18 years until May 2020 and later joined streaming news channel ADH TV, which features a slew of conservative political commentators. His last show on the streaming station aired in November 2023.
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